bonfire

noun

bon·​fire ˈbän-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce bonfire (audio)
: a large fire built in the open air

Examples of bonfire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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If Patagonia’s notorious winds dissipate, there are even nightly bonfires and asado-style barbecues by the sea. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025 Watch your kids surf their first wave or learn something entirely new at the Ocean Explorers kids club, and make new family memories together over s’mores beach bonfires. AFAR Media, 15 Apr. 2025 The bonfire of the Teslas: Political violence and the Left That will be a serious slog over the next three-plus years, with the Democratic brand in poor shape. David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025 The wedding weekend began on Thursday night with a bonfire on the beach. Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bonfire

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bonefire a fire of bones, from bon bone + fire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bonfire was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bonfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonfire. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

bonfire

noun
bon·​fire ˈbän-ˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce bonfire (audio)
: a large outdoor fire

More from Merriam-Webster on bonfire

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